AMERICAN RED CROSS ACLS FINAL EXAM
Questions and Answers
1. A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole.
In addition to providing continuous high-quality CPR, what is the
other priority intervention for this patient?: Administering epinephrine as early
as possible
2. A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation
(ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The healthcare team is conducting a
secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited
jugular venous distension, cyanosis, apnea and
hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to
ventilate during the response. The team would most likely suspect
which condition as the cause?: Tension Pneumothorax
3. A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency
department. The pa- tient is diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke
and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best
outcomes, this therapy should be initiated within what time frame?:
Within 1 hour of patient's arrival.
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14
, 4. A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac
monitoring. The patient has a history of myocardial infarction. The
patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure. The
provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia?: Third-
degree AV block
5. A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing
presents to the emergency department with complaints of feeling
feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency nurse that
she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the
fundus is not at or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition
quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac arrest. If available and
able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation
effort, what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in
the care of this patient?: Point-of-care ultrasound
6. Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular
tachyarrhyth- mia. The patient has a pulse and is not showing any
signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an
irregular rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in
duration. Which action would be appropriate at this time?: Consider an
antiarrhythmic medication
7. A responsive patient is choking. What method should the
provider use first to clear the obstructed airway?: Back blows
2/
14
Questions and Answers
1. A patient is in cardiac arrest. The cardiac monitor shows asystole.
In addition to providing continuous high-quality CPR, what is the
other priority intervention for this patient?: Administering epinephrine as early
as possible
2. A patient has experienced return of spontaneous circulation
(ROSC) after cardiac arrest. The healthcare team is conducting a
secondary assessment to determine the possible cause of the
patient's cardiac arrest. Before the arrest, the patient exhibited
jugular venous distension, cyanosis, apnea and
hyperresonance on percussion. The patient was also difficult to
ventilate during the response. The team would most likely suspect
which condition as the cause?: Tension Pneumothorax
3. A patient with suspected stroke arrives at the emergency
department. The pa- tient is diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke
and is a candidate for fibrinolytic therapy. To achieve the best
outcomes, this therapy should be initiated within what time frame?:
Within 1 hour of patient's arrival.
1/
14
, 4. A patient in the telemetry unit is receiving continuous cardiac
monitoring. The patient has a history of myocardial infarction. The
patient's ECG rhythm strip is shown in the following figure. The
provider interprets this strip as indicating which arrhythmia?: Third-
degree AV block
5. A 28-year-old pregnant patient who resides in transitional housing
presents to the emergency department with complaints of feeling
feverish and very faint. The patient tells the emergency nurse that
she does not know when she became pregnant. Upon palpation, the
fundus is not at or above the umbilicus. The patient's condition
quickly deteriorates and she goes into cardiac arrest. If available and
able to be used without impeding or delaying the resuscitation
effort, what diagnostic tool could be used to guide decision-making in
the care of this patient?: Point-of-care ultrasound
6. Cardiac monitoring indicates that a patient has a ventricular
tachyarrhyth- mia. The patient has a pulse and is not showing any
signs of hemodynamic compromise. A 12-lead ECG reveals an
irregular rhythm with QRS complexes greater than 0.12 second in
duration. Which action would be appropriate at this time?: Consider an
antiarrhythmic medication
7. A responsive patient is choking. What method should the
provider use first to clear the obstructed airway?: Back blows
2/
14
